New findings reveal intriguing insights about cocaine use in Europe, pushing back the timeline for its popularization. Researchers recently uncovered traces of cocaine in the mummified brain tissues of two individuals from the 17th century, pointing to its recreational use long before it entered mainstream European culture.
Critically, the presence of cocaine was detected from remains found within the Ca’ Granda crypt, connected to the Ospedale Maggiore hospital in Milan. This historical burial site housed the remains of over 10,000 people, primarily from marginalized backgrounds who had received treatment at the hospital.
The discovery is groundbreaking, with Gaia Giordano, the lead researcher from the University of Milan, noting how surprising it was to find such ancient traces of the drug. These remains suggest the coca plant might have been used recreationally by Europeans nearly 200 years earlier than previously believed, as noted by New Scientist
Though cocaine became widely accessible only during the 19th century, this new evidence reveals its presence much earlier. The coca plant, native to western South America, had been known for its psychoactive properties for centuries, utilized primarily by indigenous people who chewed its leaves.
Before its widespread use, Spanish conquerors encountered the coca plant during their colonization around the 15th century. While they initially sought to suppress knowledge of its effects, bits and pieces of its existence seeped out over the years, leading to attempts to export the plant to Europe, albeit unsuccessfully.
Giordano's team examined the brain tissues of nine individuals from the crypt and found traces of cocaine and hygrine, another compound associated with coca leaf usage. Despite the unusual circumstances — having survived 400 years of decay, cocaine's presence raises questions about the drug's distribution and use by the lower classes during the era.
The two mummies likely engaged with the coca leaves outside of any medicinal prescription, meaning they could have been using the substance for personal recreation or informal self-medication. This begs the question of how these individuals acquired coca leaves, especially when the Spanish Empire was actively trying to control their spread.
Further complicate matters, previous records from the hospital did not indicate any medicinal use of coca leaves. Giordano suggests it is possible these patients learned of the leaves' effects through various means, implying informal networks of knowledge about the plant circulated among poorer communities.
This unprecedented finding could reshape understandings of drug use and cultural exchanges between continents. If coca had made its way to Italy before the 19th century, what does it indicate about other substances and practices migrating across borders?
Interestingly, this link between ancient usage and modern trends also reflects contemporary challenges faced by authorities combating cocaine smuggling today. Nowadays, cocaine remains one of the most trafficked drugs globally, with precise measurement techniques showing how prevalent it has become across Europe.
A separate incident recently caught public attention involving the smuggling of cocaine worth £39 million. Two men fleeing from UK Border Force jumped off their boat, adding panic and drama to what was already a serious crime operation.
The dramatic interception of smugglers off the coast of Suffolk not only highlights the challenges of modern cocaine trafficking but also hints at the historical backdrop of cocaine use established by recent archaeological findings. The two men, Bruce Knowles and Ferhat Gumrukguoglu, were later charged with drug offenses after authorities discovered 350 kg of cocaine on their boat.
The full impact of the new findings relates both past and present drug trends, showcasing how longstanding perceptions can shift dramatically. Given the early evidence of cocaine use, scholars and policymakers are both prompted to rethink historical narratives surrounding availability and substance abuse.
Researchers hope this discovery sparks broader conversations about how substances such as cocaine transcend cultural boundaries and inform modern drug policies. Uniting historical observations with present-day realities may be the key to creating comprehensive strategies for addressing substance use across Europe.
From mummified remains to modern smuggling incidents, the timeline of cocaine use has proven much more complex than previously thought. It's evident this substance is woven intricately within the fabric of society, both historically and contemporarily, paving the way for new understandings and discussions.
